Retrospective on StrongHER
Celebrating women’s strength, wellbeing, and community
On July, 12th, Goethe-Institut Pakistan, in collaboration with MatrixFit, hosted ‘StrongHer’ — an ‘active symposium’ celebrating women’s strength, wellbeing, and community — at a local hotel in Karachi.
By Mairah Shaikhzadeh
The event drew together a diverse crowd of working professionals, students, parents, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes for an experience that was as as it was inspiring. The event comprised of three keynote addresses, a panel discussion, and concluded with a community workout session.
“Dream big, and work hard”
The evening opened with keynote addresses from three remarkable women. Christina Hering, a two-time Olympian and 15-time German champion, urged the majority-female audience to “dream big, and work hard”. She reflected on discipline, performance, and identity in elite sport. Yasmin Hyder, CEO of New World Concepts and pioneer in women’s entrepreneurship, spoke about inclusive leadership and her “journey from sports to the boardroom”. Mintra Tilly, Director of Sport at HYROX – described as the ‘World Series of Fitness Racing’ – pointed out that respect is not given but negotiated, in the fitness world which is often a male dominated space. “Sport allows women to reclaim autonomy over their bodies,” she added.
Health and self-worth
The panel which delved into the complex relationships women sometimes have with strength, health and self-worth was moderated by Sarah Munir, CEO, journalist, and entrepreneur. The conversation explored healing, body image, community-care, and competence through mental and physical resilience. Panellists included pioneering Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig, trauma-informed life coach Saman Ghani Khan, human resources and mentoring export Beenish Kajani, wellness expert and yoga instructor Amafah Mubashir, and visionary leader from the Pakistani fashion industry Parishae Adnan.
Strength is not just physical, but also emotional, social, and collective
StrongHER closed with an invigorating community workout session, reinforcing StrongHer’s core message: that strength is not just physical, but also emotional, social, and collective. Up to fifty participants from amongst the speakers and guests assembled into teams of four, taking laps around the hall, followed by performing exercises in a circuit format with the non-participating audience heartily cheering them on. Participants left feeling recharged and connected a reminder that empowerment begins in the body but resonates far beyond it.
